PANJIM: The Malim jetty, craving for an infrastructure facelift, is set to turn modern, with Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) finally floating the tender for its modernisation.
“GSIDC has already floated the tender for construction and upgradation works of fishing jetties at Malim in North and Cortalim in South Goa. The last day of opening the tender is November 2, 2016,” GSIDC Vice Chairman Siddharth Kuncaleinkar said.
The Malim jetty expansion project is estimated to cost Rs 50 crore. The project includes construction of a T-shaped jetty (approx 80mm) for landing, berthing of vessels and slipway/boat repair ramp. The expanded jetty will cater to a fleet of 380 motorised fishing vessels.
Other salient features include construction of piled platform, auction halls, administration building comprising bank, grocery, spare parts shop and administration offices, electrical and mechanical room, public toilets, guard house and other utility areas with concrete surfaces, overhead tank, waste water treatment plant and a compound wall.
The fishing community at Malim told Herald that for years upgradation of facilities at the jetty was neglected, leading to lack of proper sanitation facilities, poor drinking water quality and absence of basic infrastructure.
All Goa Purse seine Boat Association (AGPBA) President Harish Dhond said the Malim jetty is crying for infrastructural upgradation and the government has failed to deliver on its promise of developing and upgrading it.
“All maintenance works are carried out by Mandovi Fishermen Marketing Co-op Society for which not a single rupee is paid by the government. The marketing shed, where fishermen sell their catch was constructed from the society’s funds. There is also an acute space crunch with hundreds of trawlers anchored there and no basic facilities like toilets,” Dhond said.
